Barley Seeds

[MaconMommy5]

I'd like to start a Barley Fodder System for my chickens. I'm hoping to find a local farmer to buy seeds in bulk so that I don't have to order from Amazon. The prices on there are ridiculous. If you aren't local, how many lbs do you sell, and how much is shipping?

 

[LovesAGoodYolk]

HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO NOT USE BARLEY FOR CHICKENS. Here is what I just learned. The antinutritional factor identified in barley grain is beta-glucans, which, because of its chemical structure, cannot be easily digested by poultry. The beta-glucans bind with water in the intestine, resulting in the formation of gels and increasing the viscosity of the intestinal contents. The increased intestinal viscosity reduces the availability of the nutrients in the diet. It can also cause sticky droppings, resulting in increased incidence of pasty butt.

I just pulled my chickens off of the barley fodder because they haven't been laying at all well, and this is the only problem I have been able to determine. I will be sticking strictly with wheat fodder.

Shipping seeds would be cost prohibitive. Google for a farmers grain coop or elevator in your area. Do you ever have occasion to be in northern Illinois on I57? organic coop near here.

 

[LovesAGoodYolk]

I went online and searched. Arabi Feed and Grain, Arabi, GA i'd call them. not too terribly far from you.

 

[AntoniaMarie]

What would you recommend instead of barley?

 

[chickadoodles]

What would you recommend instead of barley?

I have used wheat, oats and black oil sunflower seeds for my flock.

 

[LovesAGoodYolk]

hello. I FINALLY mentioned to another chicken person, at a swap meet, about the barley problem. He already knew it. He said an old timer farmer told him that a long time ago.
To answer your question, sprout your wheat and sunflower seeds to make fodder. Your chickens will love you for it. Other grain possibilities are flax, rye, spelt, milet, triticale, fishmeal, and field peas. The field peas(which by the way are 23 percent protein) should be ground if possible, otherwise cover them with water to soften them. Don't forget kelp, molasses, applecider vinegar, mealworms. I have an organic farmers coop very near me, so most of these things are easily obtainable.

 

[Noreaster Egger]

Wasn't that study done on plain ol' barley seeds? I would think sprouting the barley improves the digestibility and the nutrient availability.

Also, fermenting feed containing barley would reduce the phytic acid as well.

 

[LovesAGoodYolk]

Wasn't that study done on plain ol' barley seeds? I would think sprouting the barley improves the digestibility and the nutrient availability.

Also, fermenting feed containing barley would reduce the phytic acid as well.

I don't know the name of the element that causes the problem, but I ONLY gave my layers sprouted barley, and it was still was the source of my problem. FYI

 

[LovesAGoodYolk]

I don't know the name of the element that causes the problem, but I ONLY gave my layers sprouted barley, and it was still was the source of my problem. FYI

MOREOVER, today I read that RYE is also a grain not to feed to chickens. POOH